Claims that Perikatan Nasional (PN) will be given only seven seats in seat allocation talks with Umno for the Melaka state election are not final, as negotiations are still ongoing, says Mohd Syahir Che Sulaiman, political secretary to PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.
Mohd Syahir said figures such as seven, 10 or 20 seats were merely assumptions or initial offers made before formal negotiations began.
‘Usually, before negotiations, each side will put forward a high figure.
‘When we sit at the negotiating table, we will see how our top leaders manage the differences, and there will certainly be some compromise,’ he said when met at the Pusat Tarbiah Islamiah Kelantan (Putik) in Kota Baru on Sept 22.
He was commenting on reports that PN would be offered only seven state seats if a cooperation agreement with Umno was reached for the Melaka polls.
The PAS-led coalition is reportedly leaning towards the seven seats not contested by Barisan Nasional (BN), should a political understanding be reached.
Final decision rests with top leadership
Asked whether PN should continue with the cooperation if it was offered only seven seats, Mohd Syahir, who is also Bachok MP, said the matter would be decided by the party’s top leadership.
He said the number of seats should not be treated as final as the negotiations had yet to be concluded.
Mohd Syahir also described the talks between PAS and Umno as positive, saying they were in line with the spirit of Penyatuan Ummah, or Muslim unity.
He said sentiments among the grassroots and the public showed that there was a desire for Malay parties to work together.
‘As the president has said, it is very positive.
‘It is certainly in the spirit of Penyatuan Ummah between PAS and Umno, which has also received support from the grassroots,’ he said.
Talks must produce outcome for all sides
Mohd Syahir added that those involved in the negotiations had a responsibility to reach an outcome that would benefit all parties.
